THE PORTUGUESE PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL A Cicero/AMO Analysis
7January 2021
The Portuguese Presidency of the Council - A Cicero/AMO Analysis, 7 January 2021 During the first half of 2021, Portugal holds the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union. In conjunction with Germany and Slovenia, Portugal is part of the Trio Presidency from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021. The Presidency programme places heavy emphasis on the Commission’s dual digital and green transitions, which have now been placed at the heart of the recovery from the COVID crisis. Much of the success of the Portuguese Presidency will be defined by the implementation of the COVID recovery programmes, namely the next multiannual budget and the Next Generation EU recovery fund. While the German Presidency has done much of the heavy lifting on the framework through which the COVID recovery will be financed, it now falls on the Portuguese to ensure the smooth implementation of the programmes. Under the theme of “Time to deliver: a fair, green, digital recovery”, the Portuguese Presidency will aim to lead the way back to ‘normality’ across Europe through the implementation of these programmes alongside the roll-out of vaccines. Portuguese Prime Minister Antonia Costa has highlighted that the next stage in tackling the pandemic will be demanding and noted the need to deliver on a Europe-wide vaccination plan and the National Recovery and Resilience Plans. The vaccination plan is another example of how the Presidency will be defined by the success and speed of implementation. At the start of the year, headlines have already been dominated by criticism in various Member States of the slow roll out of vaccines in the EU compared to other countries such as the UK, US and Israel. While much of this comes down to national decision-making the EU is, as ever, an easy scapegoat, particularly given the Commission’s role in negotiating vaccine contracts and calls for more health decisions to be concentrated at the EU level. The expectations for a recovery at real speed in 2021 will be challenging to manage politically, as it already looks like projections on the speed of vaccinations, and thus how quickly restrictive measures could be lifted, may have been overly optimistic. Additionally, some of the final work around the implementation of the trade agreement with the UK needs to be carried out. Further priorities of the Presidency are the development of the EU’s Social Pillar and strategic autonomy. On the former, the programme places a heavy focus on equality and fairness and prioritises improving the European social model. The focus on Social Europe is in line with the current Portuguese Government’s political stance as it is led by the Socialist Party supported by other left-wing parties. In terms of domestic political context, Portugal will also hold a Presidential election on 24 January, where centre-right incumbent, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is favourite to win a second five-year term. While the President has limited political power, in the past the relationship between the Prime Minister and President has had implications for how smoothly the country is run. Having previously run on a platform of moderation and cross-party consensus, the re-election of Rebelo de Sousa would mark continued stability for the government. While the Presidential election will not change the shape of the government itself, it will be an indicator of the support enjoyed by the current ruling coalition and the amount of political capital it will have at its disposal during its Presidency. The Cicero/AMO team have gathered and analysed the priorities of the Portuguese Presidency further below: •
Resilient Europe
•
Digital Europe
• • •
Green Europe
Social Europe
Global Europe
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Resilient Europe For a “Resilient Europe”, the Presidency is pursuing the promotion of the European recovery, cohesion and values. The key pieces of policy include the implementation of the next Multiannual Financial Framework and the additional instruments within it to kick start the economic recovery from the COVID pandemic. While agreement was reached on the rule of law conditionality to enable passage of the wider package, the issue is far from definitively resolved. How the conditionality is applied will impact the success of the Presidency. In addition, the question remains on the survival of individual industries that have been particularly affected. The programme notes that the Presidency wants to pay attention to the economic sectors worst hit by the crisis, therefore whether sectoral support materialises will be key. Another key legislative theme is migration. Solutions to the migration crisis are long overdue and progress on this issue would be a huge coup for the Presidency. The new Pact on Migration and Asylum presents an opportunity to show leadership in an area where everyone wants to see progress, but few have succeeded in brokering compromise. It would be overly optimistic to expect to see any of the work concluded under this Presidency, however a good start in itself would be significant. COVID recovery: • Implementation of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), Next Generation EU and the Recovery and Resilience Facility Democracy and human rights: • Defending the EU’s fundamental values, the Rule of Law, and democracy • Combatting all forms of discrimination, promoting pluralism in the media, and combatting disinformation • Combatting terrorism and hate speech, including online Strategic autonomy and industrial strategy: • Reducing the EU’s external dependency and diversifying production concerning goods and critical technologies, investing in innovation, and improving food security • Developing a dynamic industrial strategy that promotes European value chains and pays attention to strengthening SMEs and the sectors worst hit by the crisis • Strengthening the Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism Migration: • Negotiations on the new Pact on Migration and Asylum Police and judicial cooperation: • Implementation of the 2020-2025 EU Strategy on victims’ rights • Revision of the Europol Regulation and the implementation of the EU action plan on preventing money laundering and terrorist financing 3
Green Europe The Portuguese Presidency will follow the agenda of the European Commission set up for 2019-2024 and will prioritise implementing the European Green Deal and the commitments to reduce emissions in the fight against climate change, strengthening the energy transition, increasing sustainable mobility, and improving the blue (ocean) economy. The actions defined by the Portuguese Presidency under this priority are by necessity cross-sectorial, with the theme of the green transition having an impact across the policy spectrum. Pivotal for any transition will be the necessary financing. The Portuguese Presidency will design and utilise EIB instruments and will also discuss the question of a green taxation system. Other key areas within the Presidency’s Green Europe agenda also follow Commission priorities and include the Circular Economy, the EU’s Forest Strategy and effective water management. Promotion of innovative solutions in the area of green technologies: • Reflection at EU level on secondary raw material markets, waste management for existing goods and equipment (life cycle, product quantity), intelligent production and use (reduction of raw materials and greater innovation in product design), and prevention in terms of minimal use of raw materials (including ecodesign), reusability, repairability and remanufacturing Making the EU a global leader in climate action and the first carbon-neutral continent: • Negotiations of the European Climate Law with a view to securing a joint commitment to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels • Revision of the Trans-European Energy Networks Regulation, Review of the legislative framework for batteries Preservation of the biodiversity and the ecosystems: • Negotiations on the reform of the EU’s common agricultural policy with the goal of reaching political agreement • Finalising the eighth Environment Action Programme and giving political impetus to delivering on the new chemicals’ strategy • Negotiations to reach a Legally Binding Agreement on Forests in Europe
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Digital Europe With the Digital Services and Digital Markets Acts published just ahead of the Portuguese term, the Presidency has a chance to make its mark on these significant files and has wasted no time in getting this work under way with talks beginning already this week. Overall, the Portuguese Presidency has set out prioritising initiatives that help accelerate the digital transition as a driver of the economic recovery and promoting European leadership in the digital space in line with the Commission Programme. Reflecting the Presidency’s focus on inclusion and equality, more attention will be placed on the development of digital skills and rights. The latter will culminate in a declaration on Digital Rights at a Digital Assembly in June. The link to green objectives is clear, with new digital solutions and strategies in areas such as health, research and innovation (R&I), industrial property, justice and mobility at the centre of this action line. The Programme also notes the need for visibility on best digital practices. Framework for the digital space: • Examination of digital services in the single market, notably through the Digital Services Act • Creation of a European digital identity • Promoting the implementation of best digital practices, with a view to modernising public administration, including through the use of artificial intelligence • Adaptation of the regulatory framework for SMEs to stimulate digitalisation • Monitoring of the issue of cybersecurity across all policy areas, taking as a reference the new EU Cybersecurity Strategy and contributing to the development of its main pillars, such as the new NIS Directive • Contribution to the Commission’s strategy of building and affirming European digital autonomy, based on data protection and privacy Digital skills: • Discussion of digital education, distance learning and hybrid and innovative teaching methods • Promotion of a balanced circulation of talent in Europe and beyond Sectoral initiatives: • Contribution to the digital transformation of the health sector • Creation of a European innovation network to sustain the digital transformation in the sector of tourism • Signing and promoting of the Startup Nation Standard
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Social Europe The underlying goal of the Portuguese Presidency’s Social Europe action line is to bolster the ‘European social model’. This has been one of the largest selling points the EU has had to offer and is a theme the Presidency aims to integrate across all policy areas. Most recently, the future of this European social state has been a major consideration within the von der Leyen Commission’s twin digital and green transitions. To support the Commission’s preparation for these transitions, the Portuguese Presidency has a series of underlying goals. The Presidency aims to upskill the population, to educate European citizens and create a society of gender and racial equality, to protect minority and vulnerable groups, and to support those in need, especially with the ongoing public health crisis. Employment and Social Policy: • Implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights • Prioritising the new European Strategy on Safety and Health at Work • Working on Europe’s Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025, with a focus on pay transparency and gender balance in company boardrooms • Discussing the new European Disability Strategy 2021-2030 in April 2021. • Fighting against child poverty through increased efforts around the new Child Guarantee and the new EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child Health: • Aiming for the creation of a European Health Union • Developing the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe • Strengthening the European agencies in their ability to coordinate with domestic authorities Culture and Education: • Building framework for European education and training area, through proposals under the New Skills Agenda for Europe and the new Digital Education Action Plan • Supporting the Commission’s Media and Audiovisual Action Plan • Mapping of innovations in the sports environment and identification of new trends as part of the next EU Work Plan for Sport
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Global Europe One of the main goals of the European Commission has recently been to strengthen the EU’s position globally. Aligned with this objective, the Portuguese Presidency wants to cultivate a Global Europe that will be open to the world. In line with the status quo, the Presidency focuses on the rules-based international order, with the ideas of fair trade and multilateralism being central to its policy agenda. In establishing its position globally, the EU will aim to cultivate its existing relationships as well as create new ones. The EU-Africa relationship will be pivotal during this Presidency. Closer collaboration moving outside the realm of trade into security, energy, health, migration, and most importantly climate is the goal. Given the ongoing security challenges of the Union, the issue will be key in the Presidency’s efforts for a stronger transatlantic relationship. Finally, with an FTA just completed with the United Kingdom, and the special diplomatic relationship Portugal has always had with the country, the Presidency has as a central goal the implementation of the new partnership.
External relations: • • • •
Deepening of Asian relationships with focus on India Promotion of green transition globally Revitalisation of EU-US relations Prioritisation of the EU-UK future relationship
Development partnerships:
• Preparation and completion of the sixth EU-African Union Summit • Strengthening support for refugees globally
Trade:
• Modernisation of the WTO • Negotiating internally for the signing of the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement, and the modernisation of the EU-Mexico Global Agreement
Security:
• Focus on hybrid threats, sustaining cybersecurity and maritime security through EU-NATO cooperation
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Calendar: Politics January
February
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18 January: Eurogroup - Brussels 19 January: Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) - Brussels 26 January: General Affairs Council (GAC) - Brussels 27 - 29 January: Informal Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Meeting – Lisbon
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15 February: Eurogroup - Brussels 16 February: Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) - Brussels 22 - 23 February: Informal Meeting of Ministers for Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO) - Vilamoura 23 February: General Affairs Council (GAC) - Brussels
March
April
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4 - 5 March: Informal Meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers – Gymnich – Lisbon 15 March: Eurogroup - Brussels 15 March: High-Level (Ministerial) Meeting on consumer protection – Lisbon 16 March: Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) Brussels 23 March: General Affairs Council (GAC) - Brussels 24 March: Tripartite Social Summit – Brussels 25 - 26 March: European Council – Brussels
7 April: High-Level Conference on Green Hydrogen – Lisbon 15 April: General Affairs Council (GAC) - Cohesion – Luxembourg 16 - 17 April: Informal Meeting of ECOFIN Ministers - Lisbon 20 April: General Affairs Council (GAC) - Luxembourg
May
June
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7 May: Porto Social Summit – Oporto 8 May: Informal Heads of State and of Government Summit – Oporto 8 May: EU-India Summit - Oporto 11 May: General Affairs Council (GAC) - Brussels 14 May: High-Level Forum on Sustainability and Tourism – Oporto 17 May: Informal Meeting of Ministers (GAC) - Coimbra 17 May: Eurogroup – Brussels 20 May: Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) - Trade – Brussels
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17 June: Eurogroup - Luxembourg 18 June: Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) Luxembourg 21 June: Recovery Summit – Shaping European Growth Lisbon 22 June: General Affairs Council (GAC) - Luxembourg 24 - 25 June: European Council – Brussels
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Calendar: Events January
February
• 5 January: Visit of the President of the European Council to Lisbon • 7 January: “Perspectives on Driving European Economic Recovery” - Speech event with Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe – Digital • 14 - 15 January: Visit of the College of Commissioners of the European Commission - Lisbon • 21 January: International Forum – Education, Employment and Training in Tourism – Lisbon • 25 January: Meetings of Experts on Climate Change EGIMT - Digital • 26 - 27 January: Meetings of Experts on Climate Change EGA - Digital
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March
April
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15 March: European Consumer Summit 2021 – Lisbon 18 - 19 March: Digital Days – Oporto
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2 February: Launch event for Horizon Europe - Lisbon 11 February: High-Level Conference on topic “The changing face of Intellectual Property in the Digital Transition era – INPI – Lisbon 23 - 26 February: Industry Days – Digital 26 February: High-Level Conference on Climate Law – Lisbon
8 April: 10th Anniversary after the signature of the Istanbul Convention – State of play – Lisbon 19 - 21 April: The Impact of Disruptive Technologies on the future battlefield (High-level EDA Conference in the field of R&D) - Oporto 26 - 27 April: High-Level Conference on e-Justice – Lisbon 27 - 28 April: Conference on “Access to medicines and Medical Devices” - Lisbon
May
June
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14 - 15 May: Launch of Centre for the Atlantic - Acores 31 May - 2 June: Portugal eHealth Summit – Lisbon
1 - 2 June: Digital Assembly - Lisbon 14 - 15 June: Single Market Forum (SIMFO) - Lisbon
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